Using a (or an) with common singular count nouns

If a count noun refers to one unspecific item (not a whole category), use the indefinite article a (or an). A and an usually mean “one among many” but can also mean “any one.”

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: My English professor asked me to bring dictionary to class. Revised sentence: My English professor asked me to bring a dictionary to class. Explanation: The article “a” has been added before the noun “dictionary.”

The noun dictionary refers to “one unspecific dictionary” or “any dictionary.”

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: We want to rent apartment close to the lake. Revised sentence: We want to rent an apartment close to the lake. Explanation: The article “a” has been added before the noun “apartment.”

The noun apartment refers to “any apartment close to the lake,” not a specific apartment.

Choosing articles for common nouns

Exercises:

Using articles 1

Using articles 2

Using articles 3

Articles and types of nouns